Tensioning means for feed rolls and the like



Oct. 18, 1932. c. DONLEY I TENSIONING MEANS FOR FEED ROLLS AND THE LIKE Filed July 24. 1951 Patented oct. 1s, 1932 UNITED STATES Parana*- essie CHARLES DONLEY, OIEA LEBANON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO VROUGHT vIRON COM- PANY 0F AMERICA, OF SYLVANIA IJEIBAN'ON,` PENNSYLVANA, A CORPORATlON OF PENN- Y TENsIoNING MEANS Fon FEED noLLs am) 'me LIKE Application filed July 24, 1931. Serial No. 553,018.

This invention relates to tensioning means for feed rolls and the like.

An important object of the invention is the provision in a structure of this character of an arrangement such thatthe tension of the tensioning spring may be adjusted as desired.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a construction of this character wherein the tappet element or element projected by the spring for operative engagement with the associated feed roll may be very readily adjusted without, except under eX- traordinary circumstances, being subjected to the pressure of the tensioning spring.

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a construction of this character such that the tappet is securely locked in its adjusted positionand at theV same time may be very readily released for adjustment without tearing down the mounting. f

These and other objects I attain by the construction shown inthe accompanying drawing wherein, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein: Y

F ig. l is a detail sectional view through a feed roll mounting embodying a tensioning means constructed in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 2 1s an elevation of the tensioning ap- VVparatus detached F ig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the tensioning means detached; and

Fig. 4 is a section on line 4 4 of Fig. 3.

Referring now more particularly to the drawing, the numeral 10 generally designates a machine frame mounting bearings 11 for upper and lower feed rolls l2 and 13. Of such rolls one, usually the lower, is driven in any suitable manner, being at present shown as provided with a gear for engagement with the drive while the upper is mounted so that it may have a yielding movement to grasp a bar B or-other articlepassing therebetween and grip the same with suflicient tension to cause longitudinal movement thereof. The

mountings such as sheet straightening rolls and the like.

Associated with rthe upper feed roll is a` j suitable tensioning means 111,'this means in ac-y cordance with my invention comprising a body element 15 at present shown as adapted to be bolted or otherwise rigidly secured to the machine frame 10 and having formed a therein a bore 16 the lower end of which is reduced as indicated vat 1'?v and the upper end Vof said nut having splined engagement with the' walls of the bore so that it may Vmove vertically, but may not rotate, as indicated at 21, and

more clearly shown in Fig. 4. Threaded in the nut is a'tappet 22 the lower end portion of which is adapted to extend through the re'- duced portion l? of the bore'l and through the opening 19' ofthe frame which serves as a guidetherefor. W ith the exception of its head and 'lower extremity 23, the yta'ppet is threaded as indicated at 24 and surrounding the tappet is a sleeve 25 of a length sufficient toproject well above thevupper end of bore 16, for a purpose presently to appear.

Within the bore 16 is a tension spring 26, the lower end of which seats upon nut 2O and the upper end of which is abutted by a spring tensioned `adjusting nut 27 engaging the threads 18 at the upper end ofthe bore. The upper end of sleeve 25 is preferably thickened'so'as to afford a solid seat for a locking nut 28 engagedwith the tappet 22. It willv be obvious that by loosening nut 28 the tappet is freed so that it may be rotated in nut 2O 'andthe extent-of its projection through the lower end of the body 15 thusy determined. `When the proper adjustment has been made, the nut 28 may be forced l lower end of tappet 22 has operative engagement with the upper or movable feed roll 13 through its bearing 1l andan abutment plate 29, it will be obvious that this tappet constitutes a. means Jfor determining the tension applied to the roll which is operable independently of the tension adjusting nut 27. Tappet 22 will of course yield under heavy strains permitting the feed roll to shift. i

Attention is directed to the tact that the use of the sleeve, which constitutes in eiiieot an extension of nut 28, permits adjustments to be made at any time Without the necessity of tearing dovvn the apparatus and, furthermore, permits o1c the provision of a relatively Wide adjusting range in nut Since the construction employed is Capable of 'a Certain range ot Change and modification Without in any manner departing from the spirit of my inventionj l do not Wish to be understood 'as limiting myself thereto except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. rllensioning means for movable feed rolls Comprising a tappet operativelyengaging the roll, a member lined 'against rotation about the tappet While capable of movement in the direction of the axis oil' the tappet and through Which the tappet is adjustably di reoted, a spring surrounding the tappet and for one end of Which the member forms an abutment, a stationary abutment for the opposite end of the Aspring through which the tappet passes and means looking the tappet in adjusted positions disposed at the opposite aoe ot the stationary abutment from said member.

2. Tensioning apparatus tor movable feed rolls comprising a tappet operatively engaging the roll3 a housing having a bore through Which the tappet passes, a. spring Within the bore and operatively engaging-the housing at one end, a nut adjustable longitudinally to the bore by rotation of the tappet mounted on said tappet and with which the opposite end of said spring engages7 and means eX- terior to the housing looking said tappet and nut against relative rotation.

3. Tensioning apparatus for movable feed rolls comprising a tappet operatively engaging the roll, a housing having a bore through which the tappet passes7 a spring Within the bore and operatively engaging the housing at one end, a nut adjustable longitudinally to the bore by rotation of the tappet mounted on said tappet and with which the opposite end ot said spring engages, means exterior tothe housing looking said. tappet and nut against relative rotation Comprising a sleeve surrounding said tappetvand abutting the nut, said sleeve projeeting from the housing and a second nut upon the tappet engaging the projecting end of the sleeve.V

1l. Tensioning apparatus for movable feed rolls comprising a housing having a bore radialto the roll, 'a nut Within the housing and held against rotation With relation thereto but movable longitudinally in said bore, a tappet threaded through the nut and engaging the feed roll, la spring Within the bore and abutting the nut, an adjustable nut disposed in said bore and engaged With the wall thereof through which the tappet passes and against Which the spring abrite, a nut upon the tappet exteriorlv to the housing, and means forming an extension-for the lastnamed nut engaging the first-named nut.

5. Tensioning apparatus for movable feed rolls comprising 'ahousing having a bore radial to the roll, a nut Within the housing and held against rotation with relation thereto but movable longitudinally in said bore, atappet threaded through Vthe nut and en.- gaging the feed roll, a spring Within the bore and abutting the nut, an adjustable nut'disposed in said bore and engaged with the Wall thereof through Whiehthetappet passes and against Which the spring abuts?` Ia nut upon the tappet eXteriorly to the housing7 and a sleeve surrounding the tappet. between the lirst and lastenamed nuts.

Cuantas Donner. 

